1 answer
Teigan
Student
Soldotna, Alaska
1
Question
Asked
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How do I achieve my dream college and what I want?
I have good grades and good letters of recommendation. I'm still scared I will not be accepted into the college I want to go to.
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1 answer
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Teigan. Since you already have strong grades and good letters of recommendation, you've built a solid foundation. The next step is learning how to present your strengths effectively.
First, you should write a strong personal statement. Colleges want to see more than just numbers, they want to understand who you are. You can use your essay to tell your story, like: what motivates you, what challenges you've faced, what you've learned, and what you hope to do next. Be honest and real. Admissions officers can tell when a student is being genuine, and that honesty helps your application stand out.
Next, make sure the rest of your application shows your interests and involvement. This can include clubs, sports, community service, or personal projects. You don't need to have done something huge. What matters most is explaining what these activities taught you and how they helped shape your goals. Colleges like students who show passion and growth.
It's also completely normal to be scared about not getting accepted. Almost every student applying to a dream school feels this way. One helpful approach is to create a balanced college list: a few dream schools, a few realistic matches, and a few safe options you'd still be happy attending. This doesn't mean giving up on your dreams, it just means giving yourself more than one path to success. Wishing you all the best.
First, you should write a strong personal statement. Colleges want to see more than just numbers, they want to understand who you are. You can use your essay to tell your story, like: what motivates you, what challenges you've faced, what you've learned, and what you hope to do next. Be honest and real. Admissions officers can tell when a student is being genuine, and that honesty helps your application stand out.
Next, make sure the rest of your application shows your interests and involvement. This can include clubs, sports, community service, or personal projects. You don't need to have done something huge. What matters most is explaining what these activities taught you and how they helped shape your goals. Colleges like students who show passion and growth.
It's also completely normal to be scared about not getting accepted. Almost every student applying to a dream school feels this way. One helpful approach is to create a balanced college list: a few dream schools, a few realistic matches, and a few safe options you'd still be happy attending. This doesn't mean giving up on your dreams, it just means giving yourself more than one path to success. Wishing you all the best.